When Gavin and Melanie saw this 1.1-hectare Whenuapai waterfront estate 15 years ago they recognised that they could create somewhere incredibly special.
15 Totara Road offers direct water access to launch a kayak or dinghy, it has its' own private boat ramp and winch, and the ability to moor your boat out in the channel.
The home laps up extensive waterfront views, with birds, a minor dwelling, and an old cottage on the landscaped grounds.
Gavin says: “It’s amazing living in this kind of setting.
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“I love that we can sit outside at the end of the day, having a glass of pinot noir and watching the boats go by.
“Or launching my kayak off the property and heading out to explore the whole Riverhead Albany area.
“There are only a few houses along Totara Road that back onto the water, and they seldom come up for sale.”
Previous owners had constructed a connected minor dwelling alongside the cottage to live in while the main waterfront home was built in 1986.
The home was renovated by Christchurch architectural designer Angela Nixon and Nixon Built. Photo / Supplied
Gavin says: “Five years ago we fully renovated the main house inside and out, including making all of its cladding weatherboard, so now it’s effectively like living in a brand new house."
“We’ve probably spent the best part of a couple of million dollars on the house and landscaping over the years.”
The couple’s son and daughter lived in the home for the first few years before flying the nest.
Gavin’s sister-in-law, Christchurch architectural designer Angela Nixon, did the plans for the renovation.
Nixon Built, the construction company owned by their son, who is an experienced builder, did the renovation.
Gavin says they fully fenced the property with many established trees and the mini-orchard has a serene, semi-rural feeling.
This property is handy to Westgate and Hobsonville Point, four kilometres to a motorway onramp and about 20 minutes’ off-peak to Auckland’s CBD.
They’ve tenanted the minor dwelling, which is up its own driveway, around 250 metres away from the main home.
A tree-lined driveway leads to their house, which predominantly spreads out over one floor, with an internal-access double garage and storage rooms below.
Glass panels flanking its front door immediately deliver a view through the house to the water beyond.
The property boasts clear views of the water. Photo / Supplied
The layout has been reconfigured to maximise sea views and provide easy indoor-outdoor flow.
Living revolves around a large living-dining-family room-kitchen with scullery, which utilises French oak in its kitchen flooring and features fireplace surround.
This area flows out to the big front deck, ideal for soaking up the water views.
Alongside this is a covered alfresco area with a pizza oven and outdoor fireplace.
The couple take in water views from the ensuited master bedroom with walk-in-wardrobe, which enjoys some separation at one end of the home’s layout.
There are three more bedrooms and a family bathroom at the other end of the layout, plus a powder room near the open-plan living.
Gavin says the home works brilliantly for entertaining. The grandchildren adore the inground trampoline.
They regularly sight dolphins, and from October through to March, snapper swim up here to spawn.
The couple plan to downsize now that they are empty nesters.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Misty Goodgame says: "Properties like this with easy water access are incredibly rare and don’t come to market often."
- 15 Totara Road, in Whenuapai, Auckland, has an asking price of $4.95m
